Float Therapy article published in the art of living beautifully magazine

FLOAT THERAPY

What does it feel like to float inside a pod or tank with about 10 inches of warm water (approximately 93°F) and over 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)? Not only does it feel simply amazing, it also happens to be one of the best things you can do for your body and mind.

History of Floating

Floating has a long history that dates back to 1954. John C. Lilly began experimenting with the mind’s response to sensory deprivation by building a large flotation chamber. He discovered that participants came out of the chamber feeling deeply relaxed and calm. The flotation chamber has undergone several decades of experimentation and modification, bringing us the highly sophisticated pods we see today. To read more on the history of floating click HERE.

Benefits of Floating Regularly

Float Therapy can lessen muscle tension, pain, jet leg, migraines, arthritis, stress, and even ADHD. It can also increase blood circulation, speed up recovery time after work-outs, and improve sleep disorders. These are only a handful of the many benefits of Float Therapy!

To participate, do you need to be a professional swimmer or floater?

Absolutely NOT. Floating in Epsom salt does not require any effort or technique. It is almost like floating on the Dead Sea, except we don’t have a Dead Sea in North Texas. 😄

Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is a salt lake bordered by Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. It is fed by the Jordan River in the North, and its banks are more than 1,400 feet below sea level – making it the lowest point on dry land. The reason it is called “dead” is because no life can be sustained in the water due to its salty content. While the salt may not be good for sustaining life, it holds many health benefits for people who float; and its mineral-rich black mud is used for therapeutic and cosmetic treatments. (Floating in a tank/pod/cabin is the closest we can get to the health benefits of floating in the Dead Sea, sans the sea salt.)

Compared to the 3% salt content of ordinary sea water, researchers claim that Dead Sea water contains roughly 34% salt. This hyper salinity makes floating easy in the Dead Sea because our bodies become more buoyant in the super saturated salt water. The float tanks we use here have massive amounts (1100 lbs) of USP grade (United States Pharmacopeia) magnesium sulfate (commonly known as Epsom salt) dissolved in roughly 12 inches of water, giving the solution an optimal buoyancy reading of around 1.26 which is the ideal buoyancy to float effortlessly just like the Dead Sea.”

Your Float Session

You have 100% control over your session. You can choose music and lights for your float. If you feel claustrophobic, just open the lid on the pod/tank; however, for a full REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique/Therapy) experience, you might want to keep it shut. You will rinse off before entering the pod, and take a quick shower when you are done. If you are concerned about cleanliness...don’t worry! They have a very efficient filtering system.

Here are a couple of suggestions for your float session. First, I suggest you don’t shave right before your session (the salt may cause a burning sensation). Second, don’t schedule your float session right after dyeing your hair (wait at least a week or until you no longer notice color residue coming from your hair).

Where to Float?

The closest float place to us here in McKinney is located in Frisco. It is called The Float Spot.

Why do I Float?

Massage Therapists – such as myself – are not as perfect as many people think. We have busy lives just like everyone else. On top of that, we use our bodies a LOT: moving, standing, walking, lifting, pulling, and stepping. All of these movements are necessary for our jobs and they keep us strong, but this also means our bodies often need some extra attention. Self-care for us isn’t a luxury, it is a necessity along with receiving regular massages. I believe self-care is essential for all of us, including kids (they experience stress and have difficulty with pain just like the rest of us).

Floating is not the only tool for self-care, but it has been of great value for me. My body and mind love it. Floating gives me mental clarity and makes me feel centered, grounded, and relaxed. Does this sound like something you desire for your life as well? Raise your hand.

So, if you haven’t given it a try yet, I suggest you do. Please share your experience with us, or any questions you might have regarding this awesome therapy.